Several of my gal pals got together to celebrate my birthday last month.

Since my birthday last year was a bit of a farce, my friends - led by Faith - decided to make up for it by going all out for my 31st.  

My best friend, Mary, drove all the way from Warminster to pick me up.  She and my coworker, Emily, drove me to meet up at this placed called Canvas Mixers.  The concept behind this place (and others like it) is fascinating.  

Professional artists offer classes on various paintings and spend three hours teaching you how to paint a particular piece step-by-step.  Plus, you get to drink wine and eat cupcakes. What's not to love?

Faith chose Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night class for us because she was either insanely confident in our collective artistic abilities or rip-roaringly drunk.  Regardless, we found ourselves in what looked to be the most difficult art class any of us had ever taken part in.

We ended up having a FANTASTIC time.  Though we were all super intimidated by the masterpiece, our instructor calmly led us through the directives that took us from stark white canvas to refrigerator-ready-Mom-I'm-awesome artwork.  

I think we were all pleasantly surprised by our inner Van Gogh.  Unfortunately, two of our friends are missing from this picture because they were doing a few touch-ups to their paintings.  Theirs were great, too!  I highly suggest classes like this to anyone looking to boost their artistic self-worth.  It was so much fun and such a great way to bond with my friends.  I'd never done anything like it, but I hope to go again soon (maybe with a piece that's a little less scary).  

Have any of you ever done something like this?

I took Vince to the Aquarium today.  We're season pass holders, so for rainy days like this, it's a perfect "outing" that keeps him active, learning and indoors.  

As usual, we headed straight for the string rays.  Vince never wants to pet the sand sharks, and he doesn't care about sea stars or cucumbers or anything else.  He just wants to pet the sting rays.  All the time.  

So he was supremely happy when we got to the sting ray exhibit to find we had the whole thing to ourselves.  The lonely guide was so excited to have people present that he launched into a very enthusiastic explanation of string ray anatomy.  *Grin*

Vince didn't care.  He just wanted to pet the sting rays.....

What happened almost immediately after this video was taken will give me laughs long into Vincent's adulthood.  

Because the sting rays were so playful today, Vincent fed off their energy.  He started getting just as excited as them and that made the sting rays get even more excited.  They kept coming higher and higher over the tank to "say hi."  Vince would then bounce around super excited and reach his hands further and further into the tank (with the guide's blessing).  

Pretty soon, I had to escort him from the room and calm him down with a hot dog.  Still laughing, I made this video for John to let him know what we were up to:

Yup.  He half jumped-half slide right over the edge of the tank and dove head first into the thing.  

The guide and I were immediately by his side to pull him back, but it was still startling to see him just dive in like that.  He was perfectly fine, of course, as were the stingrays, but whew. That'll give you a heart attack!

So since his top half was soaked, I pulled his jersey off and took him towards the gift shop to buy a new one.  On the way, I saw a chance to calm him down with a hot dog and was rewarded with an instantly compliant child.  Given how much he was freaking out about being wet, I marveled at how quickly a hot dog and some fries cooled his nerves. 

Pretty soon, I'd gotten him fed and changed into a Shark Shirt from the gift shop and he was back to pleading for the sting rays again.  This time, I let him go in, but I removed the new shirt.  Good thing, too!  

It's nice to know the sting rays are good sports about everything.  *Grin*

Good day today.  We both had a lot of fun.  

While going through Vincent's toys to either donate or sell at the flea market this summer. His massive collection of Mr. Potato Heads was on the chopping block.  However, this collection is one of those things I didn't think I could bring myself to part with.

So I put them in front of Vincent.  We ended up playing with them for a while.  Then John took over and things sorta exploded from there.  It was a Mr. Potato Head night.  These aren't going anywhere.  In fact, I might have to add some more to the collection.  :) 

My proudest accomplishment in Mexico was my conversation with a friendly old landscaper. We went back and forth several times until I had to apologize (which I did in Spanish) for my rudimentary grasp of their language. He grinned so broadly and said, in English, "It is good you try!"

I had been so self-conscious until he extended appreciation for me trying. I realized how arrogant we are to always expect English, so offering even my butchered bit of Spanish was accepted as a gift. How kind of that gentleman to be so gracious. 

Until that point, I'd sheepishly greet folks or excuse myself as I made my way around people in the resort.  I knew how to say "Hi" and "Excuse me" but I felt silly for even attempting because my accent would be terrible or people would think I was trying to sound more worldly than I am.

After that conversation, though, the tiny bit of Spanish I retained from high school came out freely.  I was even complimented by one kiosk worker (who was likely just trying to charm his way into my wallet, but I appreciated that particular compliment nonetheless).  

That kindly gentleman freed me from my inhibitions and empowered me to use the knowledge I'd been given.  What a blessing.  :) 

I can't help but imagine he's an example of how God views us.  In our feeble attempts at honoring His graciousness, we stumble over ourselves, unsure of how to best communicate with Him.  However, God does not frown at us for our weakness in this; instead, He smiles broadly and appreciates the effort.  Just as a parent appreciates the torn up weed bouquet clutched in their child's fist, so too does God appreciate even our smallest efforts to return to Him the love He so graciously gifts.  

<3

{BIG HUGS} and a heartfelt "Thanks" to those of you who sent messages, e-mails and prayers on Friday.  It turned out to be a wonderful, beautiful day that was far removed from the fear and anxiety I had felt leading up to it.  

No doubt this was a result of your love and prayers.  Thank you!!!

Here are some of the items Vince and I brought to one of our local children's hospitals on Friday.

It was a very fun experience.

Vince had helped pick out the majority of these toys (which is why there are so many Ninja Turtle things for the boys).  The chair that has the stuff piled up is almost exclusively Ninja Turtles.  I kept pulling girly stuff into the basket so they wouldn't feel left out with all the stuff geared to boys!  What a joy it was putting this basket of goodies together, though... especially with Vince.  He understood that he was going to be giving these things to other children to "make them happy."  

After school, I picked him up we drove over to the hospital.  He was excitedly chatting about how he was going to share all "his toys."  It made me really happy that he was so excited about our little adventure.  That he willingly participated in charitable giving made me feel like I was doing something right as a parent.  God bless his little generous heart.  

When we got there, security had us wait in the lobby for a nurse to come for us.  While in the lobby, Vince had a field day hopping on and around the turtle statues in the waiting area.

Before we'd even gotten upstairs, Vincent began trying to share the toys with random children in the lobby.  One little boy, in particular, drew Vincent's attention.  His name was Antonio and he was 3 years old.  Antonio was there with his mother, and Vincent hurriedly ran up to him and said, "Hi!  I'm Vincent.  What is you name?"

(Eventually we'll get his parts of speech right...)

The little boy shied away behind his mother.  His mom smiled at Vince and said, "He's Antonio."

Then she gently pushed Antonio towards Vincent and said, "C'mon, Antonio, say 'Hi' to your new friend!"

Vince didn't wait to hear a "Hi."  He just started rambling off, "Hi Ann-toe-nee-o.  Do you want to share with my toys?  I give some to you!"

And without hesitating, he rummaged through our bags until he came upon a set of blocks. I stopped him from handing them off until I asked his mother if it would be alright.  

She looked confused so I said, "It's okay.  We're here today specifically to donate these toys.  Would it be okay if Vincent gave Antonio the blocks?"

His mom nodded her head and smiled down at Antonio.  She said, "Look, Antonio, blocks! You love blocks!  Thank your new friend."

Antonio was quite baffled that he was being given blocks.  He reached out happily for them, but wasn't sure if he should open them or not.  Vince made the decision for him and began to pull at the box.

I said, "Hold on, Vince.  You gotta ask his mom if that's OK."

Vince stopped and looked at Antonio's mom.  She shook her head yes, and Vince went to work opening the box.  He and Antonio played for about thirty seconds before Vince decided he wanted to give more toys to other kids.  

I was beginning to worry they'd be gone before the nurse came to collect us!

Luckily she arrived a few minutes later and we took our goodies upstairs.  I don't have any pictures of the joy behind those doors for obvious reasons (patient privacy being chief among them), but suffice to say the smiles and hugs and laughter will remain etched in my heart forever.  

I really think Vince gained so much from the experience, and I know the kids (and their families) enjoyed seeing him bounce around like a mini-Santa Claus.

We gave a different set of books / toys to another nurse so she could take them to the kids too sick for us to visit with, then it was time to go.

All in all, it was a fantastic experience.  It really was.  I highly recommend volunteering your time at a children's hospital if at all possible.  There is just SUCH joy there.  The children, though sick, have such joyful, loving hearts.  And they're SO appreciative of even tiny gestures like coloring books or matchbox cars.  What's more, their families instantly welcome you as part of their circle.  They, too, are so beyond gracious for the time you're willing to spend with them and their children - I was incredibly moved.  They are a special group of people.

Please keep them in your prayers this Lent.  <3

A super hearty congratulations to our winners!  Please make sure you check your inbox for a message from me requesting your shipping address.  These can ship today if you get back to me!

Thanks to all who participated.  The last Lenten giveaway will be posted by the end of this week.  Be sure to check back soon!

Just found this online and I cannot stop watching it!  The music is awesome (I wonder if it's available on iTunes!) and the photos are just so adorable.  

Oh my goodness... definitely one of the best "Pic a Day" Pregnancy videos I've ever seen.

Well done, Mommy and Daddy!  Well done!  Bless that sweet little baby!  <3

Forgive my tardiness.  I had originally planned to post this Giveaway on Friday, but Uncle Billy's funeral went longer than I had anticipated.

However, here it is!

I'm excited to announce that I'll be giving away four different crucifixes, each a beautiful bit or art.

First up is this amazing Stations of the Cross crucifix.  The little boxes each depict a different station.  It's small enough to really use as a prayer tool, but it's obviously great to hang on the wall, too.

I just found the size perfect to keep by my bedside for personal prayer.  It's like having the Stations of the Cross in my parish church right in the palm of my hand!

So for Lent, I thought this was a very fitting prize for those looking to deepen their understanding of (and appreciation for) Christ's Passion.

It's just magnificent.

Next in line is a dream for those devotees of Divine Mercy. St. Faustina joins Christ as Divine Mercy onto this wood cross.  The "shine" you see is the reflective gold paint the artist used to create a border and accents.  

Three doting cherubs look down in wonder at the gift of Divine Mercy while St. Faustina is consistently at prayer for all of her "poor souls."

This is the largest crucifix in the giveaway, standing at 12" high, this would be great as an entryway crucifix.  It is bold, different, and a great reminder that Christ's death, though terrible, was, in fact, a gift of Divine Mercy.  He died not to condemn, but to reconcile.  

Again, sorry for the glare.  I was taking these images with an iPhone, so not all of them came out as nicely as I'd hoped.  

Anyway, this is a truly beautiful crucifix.  It's called an "Archangels Crucifix" because of the presence of St. Gabriel (holding the lillies to signify purity and truth), St. Raphael (holding a staff to represent healing) and St. Michael at the foot of the cross defeating the serpent.  At the top, these three archangels lead the "host of angels" behind them in prayer and contemplation of the Triune Sacrifice a the center of the cross.  

This colorful cross is about 6" high and is STUNNING.

Finally, we have this little guy.

This is a small cross depicting the Trinity in all their infamous iconic appearances.  Each branch of the cross contains a different variation on well-known iconography of the Most Holy Trinity.

I love this because of the way it forces folks to remember that we didn't just sacrifice Christ on Calvary.  The sacrifice was a TRIUNE sacrifice.  God the Father and the Holy Spirit took just as much an active role in this mercy as Jesus.  This beautiful cross depicts their loving, united relationship so wonderfully.  

Even at only 3.5" it packs a powerful punch!

Okay, so now that you've seen these beauties, directions on how to enter are below!

Good luck and again... may your Lent continue to be blessed!